MS drug fingolimod 'not cost-effective' says NICE

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published new draft guidance which does not recommend a new therapy for multiple sclerosis, called fingolimod (brand name Gilenya), for use on the NHS.

Fingolimod is designed to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), in which patients experience periods when their condition worsens and then improves.

Research suggests that the drug, which is taken once-a-day in tablet form, may help to prevent relapses.

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But NICE's independent appraisal committee said it would be less cost-effective than other drugs that are already available on the NHS.

Chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said that new treatments 'must represent value for money so that everyone can get the most out of the NHS'.

'While [manufacturer] Novartis submitted evidence that shows fingolimod can reduce relapses, our independent committee has not been convinced that it is a cost-effective treatment option for the NHS, even with the proposed patient access scheme,' he revealed.

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NICE will not issue final guidance until April 2012 and Dr Jayne Spink, director of policy and research at the MS Society, urged people with MS to contact NICE with their views during the consultation period.

She said: 'This is incredibly disheartening news for people with MS and it will leave some people with no effective treatment option. We would like to see Gilenya freely available to all those that could benefit and remain hopeful that this will happen.'

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